Gate-latch.



BUJEWSKI.

GATE LATCH.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 1, 1914.

Patented June 23, 1914;

Witnesses ALBERT BUJEWSKI, OF NASHVILLE, ILLINOIS.

GATE-LATCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 23,1914.

Application filed April 1, 1914. Serial No. 828,813.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Ammn'r BUJEWSKI, a citizen of the United States, residing at Nashville, in the county of lVashington and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Gate-Latch, of which the following is a specification.

The present invent-ion appertains generally to latches, and relates more particularly to a gate latch, although it is to be understood, at the outset, that the present latch may be employed in divers capacities.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a latch device embodying unique means for mounting the latch in place, and for spring pressing the latch whereby it will effectively and properly engage the keeper.

It is also the object of the present invention to provide a latch device embodying a unique assemblage of component parts whereby the structure will be comparatively simple, compact, durable and inexpensive in construction, as well as being simple, convenient, practical, serviceable and eflicient in its use.

Vith the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter clescribed and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, can be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention has been illustrated in its preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved device. Fio. 2 is a longitudinal or vertical section thereof. Fig. 3 is a cross section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a fragmental rear view of one end portion of the device.

In carrying out the present invention, there are provided upright back and front plates 1 and 2, respectively, which are c0- extensive, and which fit one against the other. The front plate 2 is provided intermediate its upper and lower ends, with an outstanding or forwardly projecting housing or casing 3 having its forward or free end open, as at 4., the upper and lower ends of the body or casing 3 being preferably inclined.

The sides of the housing or casing 3 are provided with rearwardly opening V-shaped recesses 5, while the edge portions of the back plate 1 are provided with forwardly projecting V-shaped or triangular ears 6 fitting snugly within the recesses 5, and closing the sides of the housing or casing 3. Thus, when the plates 1 and 2 are assembled, they will cooperate in a peculiar manner, to the ends desired.

The free or apical portions of the earsor projections 6 are provided with notches or seats 7 cooperating with the crotch portions 8 of the recesses 5, to provide openings in which are journaled the trunnions of the latch 10. The latch 10 projects through the opening 4 of the housing 3, and has its shank provided with the trunnions 9, it being evident that the trunnions 9 may readily be assembled with the housing 3, when the plates or parts 1 and 2 of the body or frame are assembled.

The latch 10 is provided adjacent its outer or free end, with a downturned or depending hook 11 to engage a suitable keeper (not shown), the outer end of the latch 10 being provided with a cam face 12 for enabling the latch to be raised by the keeper received thereinunder. The inner end of the latch projects beyond the trunnions 9, as seen in Fig. 2, and is provided with upper ears 13 projecting laterally therefrom, at the opposite sides, coiled wire springs 14 being mounted upon the trunnions 9 within the sides of the housing 3 and having their ends or terminal portions seated against the ears or flanges 13 and the bottom of the housing 3. The springs 14 tend to swing the outer or free end or arm of the latch 10 downwardly whereby the latch will effectively engage the keeper, notwithstanding the fact that the gate or other structure, may be slammed shut, which would ordinarily pre vent the proper engagement of a gravity actuated latch with the keeper.

The upper and lower end portions of the plates or members 1 and 2 of the frame or body, are provided with peculiar means for attaching them to the strike post of a gate, or other supporting structure. To this end, the upper and lower end portions of the back plate 1 are provided with cruciform openings 15, while the end portions of the front plate 2 are each provided with a pair of longitudinally or vertically spaced countersunk apertures 16 cooperating with the upper and lower ends of the corresponding opening 15. The upper and lower end portions of the front plate 2 are further provided with rearwardly projecting transverse lugs 17 engageable through the transverse arms of the openings 15 when the plates 1 and 2 are assembled. The lugs 17 engaging through the openings 15 will hold the plates 1 and 2 in proper assembled relation, and screws or other securing members 18 may be readily inserted through the apertures or openings 16 and the upper and lower ends of the openings 15, so as to take into the post or other supporting structure. It is thus evident that when the screws 18 are inserted through the plates 2 and 1, as above indicated, and when the screws are threaded home in the post or other supporting structure, the plates 1 and 2 will be clamped together, as well as being clamped to the post, or the like.

From the foregoing, taken in connection with the drawing, it is evident that the component parts of the present device may be inexpensively manufactured, and may be assembled and separated conveniently, as desired. It is to be noted that the trunnions 9 of the latch are journaled between the cooperating bearing portions 7 and 8 of the rear and front plates 1 and 2, respectively, whereby the latch may be assembled with the plates 1 and 2 in a ready and efficacious manner.

The latch 10 working within the opening 4, may swing upwardly readily, against the tension of the springs 14, the springs 14 normally swinging the outer or free end of the latch downwardly with sufficient tension, to prevent the latch jumping or being thrown upwardly excessively, when the reeper is engaged thereto, as not infrequently results in the employment of a gravity-actuated latch.

From the foregoing, taken in connection with the drawing, the salient features and advantages of the present latch will be obvious, without further comment being necessary, it being noted that the objects aimed at have been carried out satisfactorily by the provision of the peculiar structure herein disclosed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. In a latch device, back and front plates resting one against the other, the front plate having an outstanding housing provided with an opening at its free end, and with rearwardly opening V-shaped recesses in its sides, the back plate having V-shaped projections fitting within the said recesses, the crotches of the said recesses and the free portions of the said projections having cooperating bearing portions, and a latch projecting through the said opening and having trunnions journaled within the said bearing portions.

2. In a latch device, front and back plates having cooperating bearing portions intermediate their ends, and a latch having trunnions journaled through the said bearing portions, the back plate having cruciform openings adjacent its ends, the front plate having rearwardly projecting transverse 'lugs engageable through the transverse arms of the said cruciform openings, and the front plate having apertures cooperable with the upper and lower ends of the said cruciform openings.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ALBERT BUJEWSKI. Witnesses W. P. GREEN, JAcoB K. MAY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

